treacherous: it harbors secret desires and inward deeds hidden from others, so it is not permissible to argue in its defense. Allah Most High says:

“He knows the treachery of the eyes and what the hearts conceal.”

And He says:

“Abandon sin, both outward and inward.”

And He says:

“Say, ‘My Lord has only forbidden shameful deeds, whether openly committed or concealed.’”

He also says:

“Rather, man is a witness against himself, even though he offers his excuses.”

For a person offers excuses for his soul and argues in its defense, even though he sees that its true state contradicts those excuses. Allah Most High says:

“Today, your own soul is sufficient to call you to account.”

And He says:

“Among people is one whose speech about the life of this world impresses you, and who calls Allah to witness what is in his heart, yet he is the fiercest of opponents.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The most hateful of men to Allah is the fiercely contentious disputant.”

Such a person argues falsely in his own defense, displaying obstinacy—that is, deviation and crookedness away from the truth. This takes two forms. The first is arguing and defending himself before other people. The “second” concerns his relationship with his Lord: he makes excuses for his soul, believing it to be in the right and its intentions good, when in fact it is treacherous and unjust. It has hidden desires that it has concealed, so that the person remains unaware of them until he looks closely and examines himself. Shaddād ibn Aws said, “What I fear most for you is hidden desire.” Abū Dāwūd said, “It is the love of leadership.”

Such is the nature of the soul that even on the Day of Resurrection a person will seek to defend himself and dispute with Allah using falsehood. Allah Most High says:

“On the Day Allah resurrects them all, they will swear to Him as they swear to you, thinking they have something to stand on. Indeed, it is they who are the liars.”